Holding his own on the hills behind the Russbach, the Archduke swung forward his right in such strength as to drive back Massena on Aspern; but his weakened centre was now pushed back and endangered by the persistent vigour of Macdonald's onset.

This success at the centre gave time for Davoust to wrest Neusiedel from the white-coats, a movement which would have been stopped or crushed, had the Archduke John obeyed his brother's orders and marched from the side of Pressburg on Napoleon's unguarded right flank.

Finally, after an obstinate stand, the Austrians fell back in good order, effectively covering their retreat by a murderous artillery fire.

A total loss of some 50,000 men, apportioned nearly equally on either side, was the chief result of this terrible day.

It was not remarkable for brilliant tactics; and, as at Aspern, the Austrians fully equalled their foes in courage.
[Illustration: WAGRAM] Such was the battle of Wagram, one of the greatest of all time, if the number of combatants be counted, but one of the least decisive in its strictly military results.